Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-01-21
CLUyERIUs HANGED.

Il 0OllliS u uucOi SlNt Ci ioo VoS ""'f 80
at Richmond last Friday for the muir
der of his cousin, Fannie Lillian Madi-
son. Rarely has there been so much
excitement over murder in Virginia.
The trial was followed by interested
reSders of the newspapers throughout
the country, and the case discussed in
city. village and at crossroads stores.
The night before the execution Cluve-
rius passed sleepless night, passing
the hours in prayer and singing. His
last meal, breakfast, was hearty one,
and he ate with relish.
During the forenoon Captain Frank
w. Cunningham, Richmonds sweetest
singer. who has before visited the pris-
oner on several occasions and sung nu-
merous hymns in his cell, again called
to see Cluverius and was greeted pleas
antly by him. At his request Captain
Cunningham sang the hymn, "How
Firm Foundation, Ye Saints OF the
Lord" When he had finished, Captain
Cunningham turned to Cluverius and
asked:
"Do you still say that you are inno-
cent?" to which the prisoner replied ::
81 am innocent
"And," said Captain Cunningham, "do
you believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, and believing in Him, You assert
that you are innocent, knowing that you
have TO answer before God?"
Again Cluverius said: IL can say that
am innocent"
Wien Sergeant Smith entered the
sondemned's cell at five minutes to one
and announced that time was up, Cluve-
RUS showed no signs of emotion, and
simply remarked, III am ready TO 60
with YOU"
At two minutes TO one the death pro-
cession was formed, consisting OF Ser
geant Smith, two deputies, Rev. DR..
Hatcher and the prisoner, the latter
having his hands tied in front and his
BODY from neck to ankles enveloped in
an old waterproof cloak. The prisoner.
though thin and pale, moved with steady
steps to the scaffold. which he assembled
in the same quiet manner and stood on
the trap. Sergeant Smith then read
the death warrant or copy of the Judg-
ment of the court, which the prisoner
listened to with bowed head and appa-
rent close attention.
When the Sergeant had concluded
he asked the doomed man If he had any
thing to say, and Cluverius replied
mo, sir; nothing at ALL" his voice be-
ing scarcely audible.
DR.. Hatcher knelt and offered feel
ing and fervent prayer, and when he
had finished he turned to the prisoner,
who said "A few words in a low tone,
and DR.. Hatcher, turning to the crowd
in the yard, said:
81 am requested by the prisoner to
utter one word for him, and that is,
that in this moment of death. he carries
to the grave no feeling of i'll will to-
wards any man on EARTH
When DR.. Hatcher had gone, Deputy
Sergeant Allen tied the prisoners knees
tightly together, put the rope around
his neck and adjusted the black cap and
hood. Everything being ready, Sergeant
Smith gave the signal and at eight mill
utes after l O'clock tae trap was sprung
| A sudden swish, Il olang of the failing
trap door, and the next instant the body
of Cluverius was at the end Of the rope
over ten feet below where he had been
standing.
The rope, which was made of parti.
colored silk, stretched over foot aud
the toes of the hanged man nearly touch
ed the brick pavement beneath. A min
ute of quiet and then there was consider.
able struggling, lasting several minutes
together with heavy stentorious
breathing, indicating that death wa:
being produced by strangulation. After
sixteen minutes the physicians pro.
nounced the body dead, and twenty
minutes after the trap was sprung the
body was taken down and placed in
a plain wooden coffin and turned over
to the undertaken to be prepared fol
burial at his former home in King and
Queen county.
THE STORY OF THE MURDER.
The crime for which Cluverins was
hanged was the murder of his cousin,
Fannie Lillian Madison. On the morn.
ing OF March IA, 1885, the body of this
young woman was found in the Mar.
| shall reservoir, i'm the western part OF